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Life for some people living along the coast of Ghana is gradually becoming like living in hell as they continue to battle the sea to safeguard their lives and property.
The thought of experiencing tidal waves always sends chills down the spine of most of the coastal dwellers as they get displaced by it.
Today, we can report that, the old international road from Axim to the border town of Elubo in the Western Region is gradually being eaten up by the sea.
A visit to the place showed that most of the houses along the three coastal communities – Brawie, Upper and Lower Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region had been completely taken over by the sea while lots of buildings were about to submerge.
The situation in these three communities, according to residents remains as a source of worry to the indigenes.
What has made the development more frightening is the fact that the implementation of a sea defense wall in the area has been halted.
The situation which has been with the people for over 40 years in the ancient fishing town of Axim, has resulted in the destruction of several properties, causing families to seek shelter elsewhere, whiles the communities remain disaster zone.
Members of the Axim Youth Alliance (AYA), have threatened to stage a massive demonstration against the President John Mahama, the Nzema East Municipal Assembly (NEMA) and the Member of Parliament for the area over what they say is ‘’their lackadaisical attitude’’ towards the construction of a sea defense wall to protect Axim from sea erosion.
Some frustrated fishermen also lamented that, the situation had adversely affected their businesses as the erosion had destroyed the landing sites with the tidal waves breaking their canoes in the process.
Several houses, fishing and farming equipment and some private and state properties running into millions of cedis are currently being threatened by the sea.
The sea is seriously cutting into the Axim Township and washing away valuable properties which without immediate intervention may collapse the town which serves as a tourist site.
When the Member of Parliament for the area who also doubles as the Petroleum Minister, Honorable Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah was contacted, he said the contribution of members of the affected communities to their immediate local economies and the nation could not be overlooked, therefor plans are far advanced to find a solution to the problem.
On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive Honorable James Ackah Kobbina called for calm among the youth and said the affected persons will continue to be supported with relief items until the problem is solved.
On the 24th of April this year, a strong waves for the fourth time this year displaced hundreds of residents and destroyed properties on coastal communities of the Keta Municipality in the Volta Region.
Affected communities include Fuveme, Kporkporgbor, Dzita and Anyanui.
The situation has forced residents in the affected areas to vacate their homes to families and friends in neighboring towns as a temporary measure, as hundreds of houses and schools have been submerged by floods.
Residents blame unfulfilled promises by government to complete the Keta Sea Defence.
For what has become an annual occurrence, the Keta Municipality experience not less than four strong tidal waves in a year.
Many have called for a review of Ghana’s coastal defense projects.
The situation needs a long-term solution without which all the buildings in the coast would be eroded.
